Help mixing hardener and resin!

[Nandy]

I'm using the resin you would buy in wally or home depot and these are some old cans I had around. I had to make a hole in the bottom of the cans as the resin was plug under the cap. I have .5 ounces cups and adding 3 drops of hardener. I mixed for about a minute and I could see bubbles close to the minute and the mix was gelling in about 3 min.
Did I add too much hardener? Could it be the old resin? Is 80 deg here and I'm working in the sun. I can move to the shade.
I thought that plastic bowl that came with it was .5 oz as well. What size containers u guys use for small batches and how much hardener? Time is limited, I appreciate the help. Driving to the store now.
Thanks!

 

[danond]

Re: Help mixing fiberglass!

Re: Help mixing fiberglass!

Technically you are mixing resin and hardener, not fiberglass.

Check the ratio on the can - what does it tell you?

Mix it in larger amounts, too. Tiny 1/2oz amounts are almost impossible to get mixed right.

If you only need a small amount, use three cups. One for resin, one for hardener and one for mixing the two together (in the right ratio).

 

[Nandy]

Re: Help mixing hardener and resin!

I don't know what I was thinking when I typed the title. Thanks for pointing it out. I read the instructions before starting.
Anyone else can help? Just got a new can of resin.

 

[chrishayes]

Re: Help mixing hardener and resin!

get out of the sun if you can, the heat from it will only promote the gelling to speed up.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Help mixing hardener and resin!

The heat will accelerate things

When I do it ....... I only make a pin hole (actually a nail hole) in the hardener tube..... count your drops and considering the heat you have a limited working time...... mix small amounts.

Consider this 1/2 the can of resin will/should consume 1/2 the tiny tube of hardener...... 1/4 = 1/4 tube etc.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Help mixing hardener and resin!

It was definitely the old resin. I mixed the new one the same way and was able to do the front with no problem and still have time to slowdown. That old resin rally threw me a monkey wrench!
Thanks guys!!!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Help mixing hardener and resin!

Hello Nandy..

Typical resin/mekp is 1.5% .. depending on temp of cource..

Therefore your "tube" of hardener for a gallon size resin is 40 cc. You would mix 10cc per quart of resin. .. 5 cc/pint ..

Ive personally called up several resin comps and asked about small amount ratios .. average is 10-12 drops MEKP per OZ.

However all resins are "mixed" differently.. you cant buy H.D. resin.. or L>OWs resin..or our local Fiberglass distributor to be the same. Some are low VOC now..and thats a 2% cat rate.

I would say its very hard to mix without a mek disperser bottle for larger jobs. cheap 10 bucks ..

YD.

 

[fuzzeywiggler]

Re: Help mixing hardener and resin!

I use a tea spoon to measure my hardener, works well just remember to measure the volume of the spoon first!

1-2% is the range you want to be in, Too much and it can light, too little and it won't kick.

Fuzzy

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Help mixing hardener and resin!

err.. Fuzzy..

Teaspoon for what amount of resin ?

poly..vinyl .. low VOC. .. Home depot brand..

not to be .. harsh..

YD.

 

[fuzzeywiggler]

Re: Help mixing hardener and resin!

I use it for poly

I work in mostly Litres and Ml

my teaspoon holds 5ml

2 teaspoons = 1L of resin at 1%

its the same as getting a disperser bottle....

 

[jonesg]

Re: Help mixing hardener and resin!

cheap resin gels by itself if stored too long,

good quality stuff can sit around and still work great.